Vitamin B12 Encephalopathy-A Case Series
Vitamin B12 deficiency manifests as triad of anaemia, gastrointestinal abnormalities and neurological abnormalities. The children with vitamin B12 deficiency are often misdiagnosed as it mimics autism spectrum disorders, colics and gastroenteritis. Its deficiency in children can cause poor weight gain, developmental regression, mental changes, abnormal movements, encephalopathy or may leads to long term neurological sequelae. The existence of vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy was recognised in 1958.Seizures are rare but are seen especially in infants and there are only a few reports regarding the relationship between infantile spasm and vitamin B12 deficiency. Here we report 3 cases of vitamin B12 encephalopathy who presented with seizure and neurodevelopmental delay. They were later diagnosed as a case of severe vit B12 deficiency and successfully treated with IM vit B12 resulting in good neurological outcome almost towards normal. One of our case was presented with INFANTILE SPASM which being a rare form of seizure in a case of B12 encephalopathy. Any child presented with encephalopathy with knuckle hyperpigmentation without any prior history of fever,loose stool,vomiting one has to do Complete blood count,comment on peripheral smear & serum B12 to rule out B12 deficiency. We want to emphasize that early diagnosis & prompt treatment can alter the disease process.
